Perspective in 3D mesenchymal stromal cells as tools for potential diabetes treatment

Diabetes represents one of the major global health issues, and the number of cases is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. In the new century, many strategies have been developed to meet the urge for new therapies through technological innovations. Innovative pharmacological treatments, such as electronic insulin pumps, represent one of the gold standards for diabetes, even if cell replacement therapy is preferred in the most severe cases. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be differentiated into insulin-producing cells or islet-like cell clusters. Consequently, understanding the role of the extracellular matrix and three-dimensional (3D) structure in guiding MSC differentiation is crucial for advancing regenerative therapies.

The literature was examined using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, analyzing the pertinence with the focus of this manuscript.

MSCs derived from birth tissues are characterized by a high level of plasticity and represent the best candidates for regenerative treatments. Together with MSCs, 3D approaches can be integrated to obtain complex structures supporting many biological requirements, namely the possibility of reproducing better physiological conditions, as well as supporting vascular network development. Furthermore, the incorporation of extracellular matrix components like laminin and collagen IV into hydrogels has been shown to enhance the insulin secretion and survival of insulin-producing cells.

In this review, we present an overview of the different strategies applied as of today in regenerative medicine, by unraveling the different cellular and matrix characteristics that can be crucial for future and potential diabetes treatment. Ultimately, the convergence of MSC biology with advanced 3D bioprinting and biomaterial science holds significant promise for creating a functional, implantable bioartificial pancreas to treat diabetes.